Tow hitch on a ranger bending frame

[1994Rangerxlt]

i have a redline hitch on my 1994 ranger . when i installed it. i used grade 8 bolts. i pulled a buddy out over the weekkend. it bent my bumper up and pulled my frame down. i dont think a tow hitch should be bending the frame .. im considerings pulling bed off hammering frame and then boxing it it real good in the back and re ataching the hitch and bumper.. and mayb running a suqare tubing cross member across the back to add to the support.

i just dont nder stand why the frame twisted. i thought it would hold up. is it mayb be cause my trucks lifted and its the angle from which i was pulling from??

 

[gw33gp]

I have pulled my race car all over the country, tried to pull out a stump and have pulled several trucks out from being stuck without bending my frame.

You should take a look at how the forces act on your frame. Maybe the way the receiver is attached to the frame or the design of receiver is poorly engineered. I have a Hidden Hitch receiver and it is the second one I have installed on a Ranger. Neither caused damage to the frames.

 

[1994Rangerxlt]

mine mounts right under the bumper to both sides of the frame. i pulled anything and everything with my old ranger. and that hitch was rotted all to hell. i think im going to pull bed off and hitch and bumper and box the frame a little

 

[metalmacguyver]

Post a picture of your hitch. How far forward does the hitch extend on the frame and how many bolts does it use to attatch to the frame?

What were you using in the hitch? pintle? 8" drop draw bar and pulling on the ball? Strap into the tube with the pin?

 

[1994Rangerxlt]

i throw the chain around the main part of the hitch and just pull out buddy or used it to get pulled out. attaches with 4 bolts. i think i need to box in frame and extend it farther down the frame. i can post pics after school

 

[strvger]

be sure to check the frame for rust/rot as well. if they use salt on your roads in the winter like they do ours up here, that might be a contributing factor. just a thought.

 

[1994Rangerxlt]

the frame was cherry till this happened